Cubs starters Wells, Cashner headed to DL

Veteran has forearm strain; rookie has strained rotator cuff

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- The Cubs rotation took a double hit on Wednesday, when both Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner were sidelined with strains in their forearm and shoulder, respectively, and both are headed for the disabled list.

Wells has a strained right forearm, which he felt Tuesday, the day after his start, while Cashner has a mild strain in the back of his right rotator cuff. Both had MRIs, and the good news is that neither has structural damage in their arms.

"We're not going to put a time frame on any one of them because we're going to be careful in April," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday.

They will not pick up a ball for at least two weeks, Hendry said, and they will be re-evaluated at that point.

"It could've been a lot worse -- I could've been out the rest of the year," Cashner said. "It is what it is, and I'll get strong and get back out there when I can."

The Cubs don't need another starter until Sunday in Milwaukee and are expected to call up right-hander Casey Coleman from Triple-A Iowa. They also will look at lefty James Russell as another option, and he could start on Tuesday in Houston.

"We'll find a way to get through it," Hendry said.

Neither Wells nor Cashner felt any discomfort in Spring Training. Wells started on Monday and threw 99 pitches over six innings against the D-backs. He said he had some soreness in his forearm on Tuesday. There is nothing wrong with his elbow, Hendry said.

"The MRI showed nothing structural, the ligament is fine, and I just have a strain in the forearm and the flexor there," Wells said. "I'm just going to take some rest and time and come back stronger."

Wells, who threw 194 1/3 innings last season, has been one of the most durable pitchers on the Cubs last season.

"It's one of those freak things," Wells said. "I'm not going to rush anything and make sure I'm completely healthy. When I come back and make my next start, I'm going to be 120 percent."

Cashner made his first Major League start on Tuesday and gave up one run on two hits, including a solo homer by Arizona's Ryan Roberts, over 5 1/3 innings. He had gone to a three-ball count on two batters, including Willie Bloomquist, who drew a walk with one out in the sixth. Cashner said he felt the discomfort on the last two pitches to Bloomquist.

"We were counting on those guys, absolutely," Cubs manager Mike Quade said. "Now we're counting on them to get back as quick as they can and come back healthy."

Quade remained optimistic.

"In this day and age when you hear about people who get shut down for a year, this could be a lot worse," Quade said. "I'm expecting three, four weeks and we're back in action, and that's a lot better than three or four months.